PUTRAJAYA, Malaysia, 21 July 202 – The Malaysia Water Forum 2025 (MyWF 2025) was officially launched today, uniting experts, policymakers, and industry leaders to strengthen national water governance. Held under the theme *“Accelerating the Implementation of Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM)”*, the forum aligns with global objectives, particularly the Ministerial Declaration from the 10th World Water Forum in Bali, which underscored water as “the new oil” – a critical asset for economic growth and environmental sustainability.
The forum aims to address pressing challenges and foster innovative solutions in water resource management, tackling issues such as uneven water distribution, pollution, the need for early warning systems, and groundwater management. It emphasizes multi-stakeholder collaboration involving the public and private sectors, academia, and communities, echoing the World Water Forum’s call for enhanced water diplomacy and cooperative governance.
MyWF 2025 promotes knowledge sharing, advanced technologies like artificial intelligence (AI), nature-based solutions, and integrated monitoring systems. It supports the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation) and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals), reinforcing the need for inclusive and effective water management to meet global targets.
Globally, climate change has disrupted rainfall patterns, causing extreme weather, prolonged droughts, and unexpected floods, which threaten clean water supply and quality. Rapid urbanization and industrial growth further strain water resources, impacting agriculture and industry, while over 2 billion people worldwide still lack access to safe drinking water.
Malaysia has been a pioneer in IWRM since the 1990s, with key milestones including the establishment of the Malaysian Water Partnership (MyWP) in 1993, the Selangor Water Management Authority (LUAS) in 1999, the National Water Resources Policy 2012, and the National Water Policy 2024.
In his keynote address, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Energy Transition and Water Transformation, Dato’ Sri Fadillah Yusof, urged for a holistic, inclusive, and evidence-based approach to water management. He highlighted the success of World Water Day 2025 in uniting diverse communities for national advocacy and expressed hope that MyWF 2025 would catalyze policy reforms, innovative practices, and a culture of sustainable water management.
“MyWF 2025 is a platform to strengthen our commitment to implementing IWRM systematically and effectively, ensuring a resilient, inclusive, and sustainable future for Malaysia’s water resources,” he said.
The forum is expected to drive actionable outcomes, fostering partnerships and solutions to address Malaysia’s water challenges in an era of growing global uncertainties.